It is hard not to root for Gilaspie. He has a nice compact swing and good attitude. I'd love to see him get more PT and watch him blossom into a reliable option at 3B or somewhere else for us in the future.

Bobby Bonilla never played third for the White Sox. He played all three outfield positions and first base as the White Sox tried to work his bat into the lineup after claiming him in the Rule 5 Draft. Pittsburgh wanted him back so badly that they offered Jose DeLeon to get him back. I can't remember if Larry Himes had replaced Ken Harrelson, by the time the trade was made, but at the time, the White Sox made it out as stealing DeLeon from the Pirates.

I had forgotten that Eddie Willaims played third for the White Sox. I remember those as Tim Hulett years at third. Kenny Willamis was the opening day third baseman in 1988, hitting a home run and a double before he was replaced at third base by Steve Lyons in a game I listened to on the radio. The previous year, I had seen Eddie Williams playing third for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, and in 1988, I initially confused Eddie and Kenny.

Neither should be confused with Walt "No-Neck" Williams, although he played an inning at third base in 1971. When Bill Melton came off the field to a standing ovation after going out to play the bottom of the ninth on the last day of the season, having homered in his last at bat to win the AL home run title, Walt Williams replaced him. But Chet Lemon played more White Sox third base than Walt Williams. Even Chris Widger played more third base for the Sox than Walt Williams.

There is a reason Rich Lindberg titled one of his books about the White Sox "Who's on Third?"

Gillaspie has made some good strides so far. I'm very hopeful for his future, but also know prospects are merely prospects. You almost have to expect the worst with the history we've had with young talent. That said, I think he'll be productive at least this year.

Gillaspie has made some good strides so far. I'm very hopeful for his future, but also know prospects are merely prospects. You almost have to expect the worst with the history we've had with young talent. That said, I think he'll be productive at least this year.

Gillaspie's been a member of the White Sox organization for less than 2 months still so it's not like he's "our" prospect.

forget hustling John "Bubba" Phillips from the '59 pennant winning club? He added some spark to the team and seemed to be one of the announcing team's (Elson and Hamilton) favorites. At least that's what I remember from listening over the far reaching White Sox radio network in my early teens.

Bubba was platooned with Billy Goodman who wasn't a bad hitter, IIRC he won a batting title with the BoSox in the early 50s.
Us oldtimers will remember when Nellie and Billy hit HRs in the bottom of the ninth against the Twins in 1961 to pull out a victory. I remember Brickhouse going crazy and said that the odds were around a million to one that those 2 would hit HRs to win a game.

And it was Don Wells in the booth with Elson, Wells left the Sox in 1961 to join the expansion Los Angeles Angels.

__________________Coming up to bat for our White Sox is the Mighty Mite, Nelson Fox.